Hearing check later life

Overview

A hearing check is a simple test to see how well you can hear sounds. In later life, regular hearing checks help catch hearing loss early, which can improve your quality of life and keep you connected with loved ones.

Yes. Age-related hearing loss (also called presbycusis) affects most people to some degree as they grow older. It is one of the most common health conditions in later life.

It mostly affects adults over the age of 50. Men tend to have more hearing loss than women, and it often runs in families. People who have worked in noisy jobs or been around loud music are also at higher risk.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Finding it hard to follow conversations, especially in noisy places
• Asking people to repeat what they said
• Turning up the TV or radio louder than others prefer
• Trouble hearing high-pitched sounds (like children’s voices or birds)
• Feeling that people mumble
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

Symptoms in older adults

• Difficulty hearing doorbells, alarms, or the phone
• Withdrawing from social events because conversation is tiring
• Feeling embarrassed or frustrated about not hearing
• Loved ones noticing you don’t respond when called

Causes

Main causes

• Natural ageing – the tiny hair cells in your inner ear gradually stop working
• Repeated exposure to loud noises over many years
• Earwax buildup that blocks the ear canal
• Ear infections or damage to the eardrum
• Certain medicines that can harm hearing (called ototoxic medicines)
• Health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or poor circulation

Risk factors

• Being over 50 years old
• Working in noisy jobs (e.g., farming, construction, music) without ear protection
• Smoking – it reduces blood flow to the ears
• Genetics – if your parents had hearing loss in later life, you might too
• Having certain illnesses like diabetes or heart disease

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you suddenly can't hear in one or both ears, call emergency services right away.
• If you have hearing loss after a head injury or with severe pain.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you or your family think your hearing has gotten worse over months or years
• If you have to turn up the TV or ask people to repeat often
• At least once every couple of years after age 50, even if you don't notice problems

Diagnosis

A hearing check is done by a hearing specialist (audiologist) or your doctor. They will ask about your symptoms and examine your ears. The main test is called audiometry – you wear earphones and listen to tones and words at different volumes.

Tests that may be done

• Physical exam of your ears to check for wax or infection
• Pure tone audiometry (listening to beeps at different pitches)
• Speech test (repeating words at different volumes)
• Tympanometry (a puff of air to check your eardrum movement)

What to expect at your appointment

The tests are painless and take about 30 to 60 minutes. You sit in a quiet room or booth, wear headphones, and press a button when you hear a sound. The audiologist will explain your results and what they mean for you.

Treatment

Treatment for hearing loss depends on the cause. It may be as simple as removing earwax, or using hearing aids or other devices that make sounds louder and clearer. The goal is to help you hear better and stay involved in daily life.

Self-care at home

• Avoid using cotton swabs in your ears – they can push wax deeper
• Use olive oil or over-the-counter ear drops (ask your pharmacist) to soften earwax
• Protect your ears from loud noises with earplugs or earmuffs
• Reduce background noise when talking (turn off the TV, sit closer to people)
• Face people when they speak so you can see their lips and expressions

Medical treatments

If hearing loss is caused by earwax, a doctor can safely remove it. For permanent hearing loss, hearing aids are the most common solution – they amplify sounds specifically for the pitches you struggle with. Some people may use assistive listening devices (like personal amplifiers) or get a cochlear implant if hearing loss is severe and hearing aids don't help enough.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for age-related hearing loss. It may be an option for certain problems like chronic ear infections, otosclerosis (a bone growth in the ear), or to place a cochlear implant. Your specialist will discuss if surgery is right for you.

Living with this condition

Living with hearing loss can be frustrating, but small changes help. Tell people you have trouble hearing and ask them to speak clearly, not shout. Use captions on TV and phones. Let wait staff know so they can seat you in a quiet spot. Check out assistive technologies that work with your hearing aids.

Lifestyle tips

• Stay socially active – isolation is a risk, so join groups or activities that use hearing-friendly settings
• Learn basic lip reading or sign language to support communication
• Use visual alerts for doorbells, phones, and smoke alarms
• Carry a pen and paper or use a smartphone app to write down important words

Diet and exercise

A healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help blood flow to your ears. Regular exercise improves circulation and can lower your risk of conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure that affect hearing. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Hearing loss can make you feel lonely or left out, and it's linked to depression and anxiety. It can also affect memory and thinking. It's important to talk to your doctor if you feel sad or worried. Getting help for your hearing can lift your mood and keep your mind sharp.

Prevention

Age-related hearing loss cannot be fully prevented, but you can protect your ears from further damage. Avoid loud noises, wear ear protection when needed, and keep chronic health conditions under control. Getting your hearing checked regularly means you can act early.

Screening programmes

The NHS recommends a hearing check every few years for adults over 50, even if you have no symptoms. Some countries include hearing screening as part of routine check-ups. Ask your doctor about local screening programs.

Complications

If left untreated

• Social withdrawal and loneliness
• Depression and anxiety
• Problems with memory and thinking (higher risk of dementia)
• Safety risks – missing alarms, smoke detectors, or traffic sounds
• Strain in relationships with family and friends

Long-term outlook

With proper support and treatment, most people with hearing loss can lead full, active lives. Hearing aids and other devices are very effective. Getting help early improves your relationships, mental health, and overall enjoyment of life. You are not alone – many older adults manage hearing loss successfully.

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